former Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, Ariful Haque Chowdhury
Chhabed Sathee, from Los Angeles: Twenty-nine years after former Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia attended a FOBANA convention in Los Angeles as chief guest, another Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader has taken the same role at the organization’s 40th convention.
Bangladesh’s Minister of Labour and Employment and Minister of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, Ariful Haque Chowdhury, attended the 40th Federation of Bangladeshi Associations in North America (FOBANA) Convention as chief guest on Friday, September 4, at the Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City.
In his opening remarks, Chowdhury said he felt honored to attend the convention, noting that Khaleda Zia had appeared as chief guest at a FOBANA convention at the same venue 29 years ago, in 1997.
The minister praised expatriate Bangladeshis for their contributions beyond remittances, describing them as important ambassadors of Bangla literature and culture abroad. He urged the diaspora to preserve Bangla culture for future generations and promote Bangladesh’s history and heritage internationally.
Chowdhury also encouraged expatriates to invest in Bangladesh, assuring them of support from his ministries and inviting prospective investors to contact him directly if they encounter difficulties.
Following his remarks, Chowdhury formally inaugurated the 40th FOBANA Convention.
The opening ceremony was attended by Bangladeshi-American community leaders, political figures, artists, journalists, business executives, sponsors and FOBANA officials, including Executive Committee Chairperson Rabiul Karim Belal, Secretary Khaled Ahmed Rauf, Convention Convener Dr. Zainal Abedin, President Moazzem Chowdhury, Executive Secretary Engineer Mohammad Iqbal and Media Committee Chairman Laskar Al Mamun.
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